2005 Testimony

Testimony Before The Senate Human Services Committee

Judy Lee, Chairman

HB 1436 - Accrual of interest on medical assistance of a deceased person

February 23, 2005

Chairman Lee and members of the House Human Services Committee, my name is Blaine Nordwall. I am Director of Economic Assistance Policy for the Department of Human Services. We are responsible for pursuing claims in decedents’ estates for Medicaid benefits furnished. I am here to provide some explanation of the impact of this bill, and of the fiscal note prepared by the department.

In August of 2004, the department discontinued the practice of accruing interest on the Medicaid claim during the lifetime to the surviving spouse of a deceased Medicaid recipient. That is essentially what this bill requires. For that reason the fiscal note shows no impact.